Foldable bed structure

ABSTRACT

A bed made from standard structural parts, detachably connected together, which is adapted to be pivoted about a central pivot axis to permit insertion into a case formed by the mattress cover.

United States Patent Oetiker [54] FOLDABLE BED STRUCTURE [72] Inventor:Hans Oetiker, 21 Oberdorfstrasse,

Horgen, Switzerland [22] Filed: Oct. 30, 1969 [21] Appl. N0.: 872,703

[52] US. Cl. ..5/66, 5/82, 5/114,

5/201 [51] Int. Cl ..A61g 7/00, A47c 17/40 [58] Field of Search ..5/59,62, 66-69,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 609,634 8/1898 Tanner..287/99 X 633,525 9/ 1899 Martindale ..287/99 X 979,227 12/1910 Tinkham..5/202 3,115,805 12/1963 Engelmann ..85/8.8 3,245,092 4/ 1966 Kreuz..5/68

n51 3,699,593 145.1 Oct. 24, 1972 3,317,933 5/1967 Meyer et a1 ..5/3353,336,060 8/19 67 Bradford ..5/82 X 3,417,412 12/1968 Andrews: ..5/82'3,482,270 12/1969 Hill ..5/187 X 3,037,215 6/1962 Pile ..5/111 3,044,0807/1962 Hartwig ..5/112 X 2,567,619 9/1951 Rosenfeld ..5/285 X 2,721,33810/1955 Resnick ..5/285 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 518,980 4/1953Belgium ..5/201 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Craig,Antonelli and Hill [57] ABSTRACT A bed made from standard structuralparts, detachably connected'together, which is adapted to be pivotedabout a central pivot axis to permit insertion into a case formed by themattress cover.

18 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHII 1 3.699.593 SHEET 1 or v3 HANSOETIKER N g ATT'QRNEYS PATENTED new 24 I972 SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG. 3

FOLDABLE BED STRUCTURE The present invention relates to a foldable bedstructure, and more particularly to a foldable bed structure which canbe folded and packed in a case in such a manner as to form a carryingcase providing storage space.

Beds of various types are known assuch in the prior art, including thosewhich can be readily assembled and disassembled. However, the beds ofthe prior art entailed the shortcoming that in the disassembledcondition they require a separate box or case tocarry the parts of thebed from one place to the other.

Other types of beds, known in the prior art, require a large number ofdifferent parts for the assembling thereof, and thus involveconsiderable manufacturing and assembly costs.

It is the aim of the present invention to avoid the aforementionedshortcomings and drawbacks encountered in the prior art and to provide abed, adapted to be folded into two halves about a pivot axis so as toconstitute a storage space which can serve for the storage andtransportation of other structural parts when the thus folded bed isenclosed in a cover serving either as mattress cover or as protectivecase.

Additionally, the present invention seeks to provide a bed of theaforementioned parts which is composed of standardized parts readilyassemblable and disassemblable.

Another object of the present invention resides in a bed which can bereadily converted into an emergency stretcher, can be readily connectedto structural assemblies utilizing the same standardized parts, and canbe folded to reduce its over-all dimension for transportation at whichtime the folded structure forms a framework for a carrying case.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more obvious from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which shows, thepurposes of illustration only, one embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention, and wherein:

F IG. 1 is a perspective view from above on the assembled bed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken in the plane of II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, on an enlarged scale, showing the pivotalconnection for the two bed halves utilizing standard parts;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view on the pivotal connection of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view, on an enlarged scale, il-

lustrating the assembly of a corner of the bed from standardized partsin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an auxiliary handle adapted to be used with the presentinvention for converting the bed into a stretcher;

FIG. 7 is a plan view on the mattress cover for the bed which serves atthe same time as casing when turned inside out;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating how the folded bed enclosed bycover constitutes a carrying case with large storage space; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified construction of a bracemember in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are usedthroughout the various views to designate like parts, the frame of thebed in accordance with the present invention consists of a suitablenumber of angular profile members 10 of suitable length, provided withidentical, regularly spaced apertures 11, suitably secured together bythe use of four plate members 20 provided with similarly spacedapertures 11 and by four right-angle members 30, also similarlyapertured. The pivotal connection is realized by two pivotal connectingmembers generally designated by reference numeral 40 each consisting oftwo disc-like portions 41 and 43, connected to respective leg portions42 and 44, respectively. Thedisc-like portions 41 and 43 are pivotallyconnected together by any conventional means. In order to assurealignment of the leg portions 42 and 44 in the same longitudinal plane,the disc portion 41 is connected with theleg portion 42 by way of aconnecting portion 42a.

Four legs generally designated by reference numeral 50 are detachablyconnected with the downwardly ex tending leg portions of each angularprofile member 10 at the places indicated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 to avoidmutual interference in the folded condition. Additionally, a straightfiat structural element also provided with similarly spaced apertures ofsame dimen sions is provided on each side which is adpated to be pivotedabout its one connection a in the direction of arrow A so as to form abrace for the frame in the unfolded condition, ie, to hold the same inthe flat condition when connected with aperture 11a and 11b as shown inFIG. 1.

The connection between the various structural parts including thepivotal connection between the disc portions may be realized in anyconventional manner, preferably by means of a two-partite connectingarrangement consisting of a plug-type connector member provided with anannular groove 91 adapted to receive a locking member 92 (FIG. 6) asmore fully disclosed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 872,715entitled now US. Pat. No. 3,683,737 DETACI-IABLE TWO-PARTITE CONNECTINGARRANGEMENT, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein byreference to the extent necessary.

A resting surface, properly speaking, generally designated by referencenumeral is constituted by a rectangular fabric material, for example,made of nylon or any other sturdy material provided with a suitablenumber of apertures 111 about its circumference into which may befastened metallic or plastic rings to prevent tearing out. Coil springswith appropriate hooks or the like at both ends engage into mutuallyfacing apertures 111 in the fabric and apertures 11 in the sectionalmembers 10 as well as in the plates 20 as indicated in the drawing. Thesprings 105 are relatively strong coil springs installed each with aforce of about 10 to 15 kg. As a result of such suspension, the bedsurface 100 is tautly suspended from the frame of the bed and is able toadjust itself to the body contour resting thereon only to the extentpermissive from an orthopedic point of view to provide optimum rest.

In order to prevent the collapse of the frame of the bed within the areaof the pivotal connections, bracing structures generally designated byreference numeral 80 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are secured within the central areaof the bed at each half thereof. Preferably, the trussing reinforcements80 are provided with threaded portions at the free ends thereofextending through corresponding apertures 11 and are held in place byconventional bolts.

The bed in accordance with the present invention is made from standardstructural parts and may be used in structural assemblies, utilizing thesame parts as more fully disclosed in my copending application, Ser. No.872,554 entitled STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLIES, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein to the extent necessary.

To convert the bed of the present invention into a stretcher, handleattachments generally designated by reference numeral 200 (FIGS. 1 and6) are provided which consist of a tubular portion 201 provided with aplastic handle portion 202 at one end (FIG. 6) and with a hook-likeextension 203 at the other end. Additionally, the member 200 is providedwith a transverse plate 204 extending above and below the tubular member201 and provided with an aperture 205 in the part thereof extendingbelow the tubular member 201.

The spacing d (FIG. 6) between the extension 203 and the aperture 205are such as to permit insertion into the corresponding apertures, asindicated in FIG. 6. The auxiliary handle structure 200 may be securedby the use of a detachable connection of any conventional type orpreferably of the two-partite type described above, consisting of aplug-type connector 90 and locking member 92 (FIG. 6), as more fullydescribed in my co-pending applications.

Cords 130 are provided on each side of each bed half which are suitablysecured to the frame members 10, for example by a sufficiently largeknot on the other side of the frame member. These cords 130 in effectconstitute carrying handles when extending through the slots 301 (FIG.7) of the mattress cover generally designated by reference numeral 300.This mattress cover is of plastic material on one side and of suitablefabric or the like on the other so that it can be used as mattresscover, with the fabric exposed, and as case, with the plastic materialexposed, within which to accommodate the folded bed. The mattress cover300 is provided with a central zipper 302 as well as with two zippers303 and 304 constituted by two conventional complementary halves 303aand 30317 as well as 304a and 304b. Additionally, flaps 306a and 3061)are provided with snap-action fasteners 308 to engage with complementarysnap-fasteners 308' to tie together the case with the folded bed withinthe case thereof.

In order to convert the mattress cover 300 into a carrying case, it isonly necessary to turn the same inside out, fold the bed, thereupon foldthe cover 300 over the thus folded bed, extend cords 130 through slots301 and thereafter close the zippers 303 and 304 and snapfasteners 308and 308' in a conventional manner. Folding of the bed is realized aboutthe pivot axis i-i of the pivotal connections 40 in the directions ofarrows B and C (FIG. 1).

In the folded position the legs 50 serve as spacer members to maintainthe proper alignment of the parts in the folded condition and therewithto maintain the hollow storage space.

In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the storagespace formed within the folded bed amounted to about 84 liters,sufficient to carry all the structural parts, blankets and covers in thestorage spaces of two such beds for a complete tent-like assembly asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 8 of my aforementioned co-pendingapplication entitled Structural Assemblies. FIG. 8 illustrates thecondition of the cover and of the folded bed when folded into a portablestorage casing.

Furthermore, by making the cover 300 over-size, it is not only possibleto place parts on the inside of the bed, i.e., into the storage spaceddefined by the two halves of the bed surface 100 but also on the outsidethereof, for example, using the space for the storage of blankets,canvas, etc.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified construction of a brace member generallydesignated by reference numeral which may be used in lieu of the bracemember 70. The former differs from the latter in that it has an angularprofile with the side 71 containing the apertures 11 being somewhatwider in the dimension w than the corresponding dimension of a profilemember 10 while the side 72, angularly disposed thereto, is relativelyshort and without apertures, the maximum dimension x thereof being suchas not to interfere with the bolts anchoring the bracing structures 80.The advantage of the construction of FIG. 9 resides in the fact that itbraces the bed more securely in the unfolded condition, for example,when used as a stretcher and at the same time serves as a guide tomaintain proper alignment of the parts in the stored condition, assuredby the greater dimension w.

While I have shown and described only one embodiment in accordance withthe present invention, it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to those skilled in the art, and I, therefore, do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are within the scope of thoseskilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A light-weight, portable foldable bed adapted to be assembled fromstandard structural parts, characterized by a substantially rectangulardetachable frame structure consisting of individual longitudinal andtransverse sectional frame members of substantially identical crosssectional profile detachably interconnected at the four corners byidentical plate structures to form two frame sections, each includingone transverse frame member and two longitudinal frame members, andadapted to pivot relative to each other, pivotal connecting meansconnecting the two frame sections of the frame structure at the freeends of the longitudinal members to enable pivotal movement about anaxis parallel to a transverse frame member, the standard structuralparts of the frame including the sectional frame members and the platestructures being provided with regularly spaced apertures along thelongitudinal and transverse frame members to serve for the detachableconnections, unitary fabric means forming a bed surface which isprovided with spaced apertures along the edges thereof, and spring meansengaging in mutually opposite apertures of the structural parts and ofthe fabric means for tautly suspending the bed surface on thelongitudinal and transverse frame members of said frame part so that theentire weight of a human person directly resting on said fabric means issupported at said structural parts by way of said spring means.

2. A bed according to claim 1, characterizedby reinforcing frame meansextending substantially in the direction of the pivot axis across arespective frame section near the area of the pivotal connection thereofto prevent buckling of the frame structure within that area under thespring forces.

3. A bed according to claim 1, characterized in that a mattress coveradapted to cover the top of the bed when in the unfolded condition,constitutes simultaneously a case enclosing the bed when in the foldedcondition with the two frame sections folded one over the other.

4. A bed according to claim 3, characterized in that said case isprovided with disengageable zipper means along the major portion of thecircumference thereof to close the case when the folded bed is storedtherein.

5. A bed according to claim 4, characterized in that the case isprovided with slots through which may extend cords or the like servingas carrying handles which are suitably secured in apertures of the framemembers.

6. A bed according to claim 5, characterized by handle attachment meansoperable to engage in some of said apertures and adapted to be connectedto said frame structure near the four corners thereof to convert saidbed into a stretcher case.

7. A bed according to claim 6, characterized by leg means detachablysecured to the frame members and serving as spacers for the bed in thefolded condition.

8. A bed according to claim 6, characterized in that the frame structureis symmetrical about its pivot axis.

9. A bed according to claim 8, characterized by bracing means formed ofsubstantially flat similarly apertured standard structural parts forholding the bed in the unfolded condition by interconnecting the framemembers on both sides of a respective pivotal connection.

10. A bed according to claim 9, characterized in that said case isprovided with disengageable zipper means along the major portion of thecircumference thereof to close the case when the folded bed is storedtherein.

11. A bed according to claim 10, characterized in that the case isprovided with slots through which may extend cords or the like servingas carrying handles which are suitably secured in apertures of the framemembers.

12, A bed according to claim 1, characterized by leg means detachablysecured to the frame members and serving as spacers for the bed in thefolded condition.

13. A foldable bed adapted to beassembled from standard structuralparts, which comprises a detachable frame consisting of longitudinal andtransverse sectional frame members interconnected at the four corners byplate structures to form two frame sections adapted to pivot relative toeach other, pivotal connectin g means connecting the two frame sectionsof the frame structure to enable pivotal movement, the standardstructural parts inclusive longitudinal and transverse sectional framemembers being provided with regularly spaced apertures, fabric meansforming a bed surface which is provided with spaced apertures along allthe edges thereof, and spring means engaging in mutually oppositeapertures of the structural parts and of the fabric means for tautlysuspending thebed surface along all sides thereof on said frame, handleattachment means operable to engage in some of said apertures near thefour corners thereof to attach handles for converting the bed into astretcher case, and leg means detachably secured to the frame membersand serving as spacers for the bed in the folded condition.

14. A foldable bed according to claim 13, characterized in that the bedin the folded condition forms a carrying case providing a large storagespace sufficient to carry all parts for two beds.

15. A light-weight, portable foldable bed adapted to be assembled fromstandard structural parts, characterized by a substantially rectangulardetachable frame structure consisting of longitudinal and transversesectional frame members of substantially identical cross sectionalprofile interconnected at the four corners by identical plate structuresto form two frame sections,

'eachincluding one transverse frame member and two longitudinal framemembers, and adapted to pivot relative to each other, pivotal connectingmeans connecting the two frame sections of the frame structure at thefree ends of the longitudinal members to enable pivotal movement aboutan axis parallel to a transverse frame member, the standard structuralparts of the frame being provided with regularly spaced apertures alongthe longitudinal and transverse frame members, fabric means forming abed surface which is provided with spaced apertures along the edgesthereof, and spring means engaging in mutually opposite apertures of thestructural parts and of the fabric means for tautly suspending the bedon the longitudinal and transverse frame members of said frame part sothat the entire weight of a human person directly resting on said fabricmeans is supported at said structural parts by way of said spring means,reinforcing frame means extending substantially in the direction of thepivot axis across a respective frame section near the area of thepivotal connection thereof to prevent buckling of the frame structurewithin that area under the spring forces, and bracing means formed ofsubstantially flat similarly apertured standard structural parts forholding the bed in the unfolded condition by interconnecting the framemembers on both sides of a respective pivotal connection.

16. A light-weight, portablefoldable bed adapted to be assembled fromstandard structural parts, characterized by a substantially rectangulardetachable frame structure consisting of longitudinal and transversesectional frame members of substantially identical cross sectionalprofile interconnected at the four corners by identical plate structuresto form two frame sections, each including one transverse frame memberand two longitudinal frame members,'and adapted to pivot rela tive toeach other, pivotal connecting means connecting the two frame sectionsof the frame structure at the free ends of the longitudinal members toenable pivotal movement about an axis parallel to a transverse framemember, the standard structural parts of the frame being provided withregularly spaced apertures along the longitudinal and transverse framemembers, unitary fabric means forming a bed surface which is providedwith spaced apertures along the edges thereof, and

spring means engaging in mutually opposite apertures of the structuralparts and of the fabric means for tautly suspending the bed surface onthe longitudinal and transverse frame members of said frame part so thatthe entire weight of a human person directly resting on said fabricmeans is supported at said structural parts by way of said spring means,reinforcing frame means extending substantially in the direction of thepivot axis across a respective frame section near the area of thepivotal connection thereof to prevent buckling of the frame structurewithin that area under the spring forces, and the structural parts ofthe frame being detachable connected to each other.

17. A light-weight, portable foldable bed adapted to be assembled fromstandard structural parts, characterized by a substantially rectangulardetachable frame structure consisting of longitudinal and transversesectional frame members of substantially identical cross sectionalprofile interconnected at the four corners by identical plate structuresto form two frame sections, each including one transverse frame memberand two longitudinal frame members, and adapted to pivot relative toeach other, pivotal connecting means connecting the two frame sectionsof the frame structure at the free ends of the longitudinal members toenable pivotal movement about an axis parallel to a transverse framemember, the standard structural parts of the frame being provided withregularly spaced apertures along the longitudinal and transverse framemembers, unitary fabric means forming a bed surface which is providedwith spaced apertures along the edges thereof, and spring means engagingin mutually opposite apertures of the structural parts and of the fabricmeans for tautly suspending the bed surface on the longitudinal andtransverse frame members of said frame part so that the entire weightofa human person directly resting on said fabric means is supported atsaid structural parts by way of said spring means, the standardstructural parts of the frame being detachably connected to each otherby two-partite connecting means each essentially consisting of a plugmember with a head portion and an annular groove in its shank portionand a locking member having an apertured base body portionadapted toengage in said groove and a bent-back part adapted to engagefrictionally with the head portion.

18. A light-weight, portable foldable bed adapted to be assembled fromstandard structural parts, characterized by a substantially rectangulardetachable frame structure consisting of longitudinal and transversesectional frame members of substantially identical cross sectionalprofile interconnected at the four corners by identical plate structuresto form two frame sections, each including one transverse frame memberand two longitudinal frame members, and adapted to pivot relative toeach other, pivotal connecting means connecting the two frame sectionsof the frame structure at the free ends of the longitudinal members toenable pivotal movement about an axis parallel to a transverse framemember, the standard structural parts of the frame being provided withregularly spaced apertures along the longitudinal and transverse framemembers, unitary fabric means forming a bed surface which is providedwith spaced apertures along the edges thereof, and spring means engagingin mutually opposite apertures of the structural Barts and of the fabricmeans for tautlg suspending the ed surface on the longitudinal antransverse frame members of said frame part so that the entire weight ofa human person directly resting on said fabric means is supported atsaid structural parts by way of said spring means, and a mattress coveradapted to cover the top of the bed when in the unfolded condition,which constitutes simultaneously a case enclosing the bed when in thefolded condition, with the two frame sections folded one over the other.

2. A bed according to claim 1, characterized by reinforcing frame meansextending substantially in the direction of the pivot axis across arespective frame section near the area of the pivotal connection thereofto prevent buckling of the frame structure within that area under thespring forces.
 3. A bed according to claim 1, characterized in that amattress cover adapted to cover the top of the bed when in the unfoldedcondition, constitutes simultaneously a case enclosing the bed when inthe folded condition with the two frame sections folded one over theother.
 4. A bed according to claim 3, characterized in that said case isprovided with disengageable zipper means along the major portion of thecircumference thereof to close the case when the folded bed is storedtherein.
 5. A bed according to claim 4, characterized in that the caseis provided with slots through which may extend cords or the likeserving as carrying handles which are suitably secured in apertures ofthe frame members.
 6. A bed according to claim 5, characterized byhandle attachment means operable to engage in some of said apertures andadapted to be connected to said frame structure near the four cornersthereof to convert said bed into a stretcher case.
 7. A bed according toclaim 6, characterized by leg means detachably secured to the framemembers and serving as spacers for the bed in the folded condition.
 8. Abed according to claim 6, characterized in that the frame structure issymmetrical about its pivoT axis.
 9. A bed according to claim 8,characterized by bracing means formed of substantially flat similarlyapertured standard structural parts for holding the bed in the unfoldedcondition by interconnecting the frame members on both sides of arespective pivotal connection.
 10. A bed according to claim 9,characterized in that said case is provided with disengageable zippermeans along the major portion of the circumference thereof to close thecase when the folded bed is stored therein.
 11. A bed according to claim10, characterized in that the case is provided with slots through whichmay extend cords or the like serving as carrying handles which aresuitably secured in apertures of the frame members.
 12. A bed accordingto claim 1, characterized by leg means detachably secured to the framemembers and serving as spacers for the bed in the folded condition. 13.A foldable bed adapted to be assembled from standard structural parts,which comprises a detachable frame consisting of longitudinal andtransverse sectional frame members interconnected at the four corners byplate structures to form two frame sections adapted to pivot relative toeach other, pivotal connecting means connecting the two frame sectionsof the frame structure to enable pivotal movement, the standardstructural parts inclusive longitudinal and transverse sectional framemembers being provided with regularly spaced apertures, fabric meansforming a bed surface which is provided with spaced apertures along allthe edges thereof, and spring means engaging in mutually oppositeapertures of the structural parts and of the fabric means for tautlysuspending the bed surface along all sides thereof on said frame, handleattachment means operable to engage in some of said apertures near thefour corners thereof to attach handles for converting the bed into astretcher case, and leg means detachably secured to the frame membersand serving as spacers for the bed in the folded condition.
 14. Afoldable bed according to claim 13, characterized in that the bed in thefolded condition forms a carrying case providing a large storage spacesufficient to carry all parts for two beds.
 15. A light-weight, portablefoldable bed adapted to be assembled from standard structural parts,characterized by a substantially rectangular detachable frame structureconsisting of longitudinal and transverse sectional frame members ofsubstantially identical cross sectional profile interconnected at thefour corners by identical plate structures to form two frame sections,each including one transverse frame member and two longitudinal framemembers, and adapted to pivot relative to each other, pivotal connectingmeans connecting the two frame sections of the frame structure at thefree ends of the longitudinal members to enable pivotal movement aboutan axis parallel to a transverse frame member, the standard structuralparts of the frame being provided with regularly spaced apertures alongthe longitudinal and transverse frame members, fabric means forming abed surface which is provided with spaced apertures along the edgesthereof, and spring means engaging in mutually opposite apertures of thestructural parts and of the fabric means for tautly suspending the bedon the longitudinal and transverse frame members of said frame part sothat the entire weight of a human person directly resting on said fabricmeans is supported at said structural parts by way of said spring means,reinforcing frame means extending substantially in the direction of thepivot axis across a respective frame section near the area of thepivotal connection thereof to prevent buckling of the frame structurewithin that area under the spring forces, and bracing means formed ofsubstantially flat similarly apertured standard structural parts forholding the bed in the unfolded condition by interconnecting the framemembers on both sides of a respective pivotal connection.
 16. Alight-weight, portable foldable bed adapteD to be assembled fromstandard structural parts, characterized by a substantially rectangulardetachable frame structure consisting of longitudinal and transversesectional frame members of substantially identical cross sectionalprofile interconnected at the four corners by identical plate structuresto form two frame sections, each including one transverse frame memberand two longitudinal frame members, and adapted to pivot relative toeach other, pivotal connecting means connecting the two frame sectionsof the frame structure at the free ends of the longitudinal members toenable pivotal movement about an axis parallel to a transverse framemember, the standard structural parts of the frame being provided withregularly spaced apertures along the longitudinal and transverse framemembers, unitary fabric means forming a bed surface which is providedwith spaced apertures along the edges thereof, and spring means engagingin mutually opposite apertures of the structural parts and of the fabricmeans for tautly suspending the bed surface on the longitudinal andtransverse frame members of said frame part so that the entire weight ofa human person directly resting on said fabric means is supported atsaid structural parts by way of said spring means, reinforcing framemeans extending substantially in the direction of the pivot axis acrossa respective frame section near the area of the pivotal connectionthereof to prevent buckling of the frame structure within that areaunder the spring forces, and the structural parts of the frame beingdetachable connected to each other.
 17. A light-weight, portablefoldable bed adapted to be assembled from standard structural parts,characterized by a substantially rectangular detachable frame structureconsisting of longitudinal and transverse sectional frame members ofsubstantially identical cross sectional profile interconnected at thefour corners by identical plate structures to form two frame sections,each including one transverse frame member and two longitudinal framemembers, and adapted to pivot relative to each other, pivotal connectingmeans connecting the two frame sections of the frame structure at thefree ends of the longitudinal members to enable pivotal movement aboutan axis parallel to a transverse frame member, the standard structuralparts of the frame being provided with regularly spaced apertures alongthe longitudinal and transverse frame members, unitary fabric meansforming a bed surface which is provided with spaced apertures along theedges thereof, and spring means engaging in mutually opposite aperturesof the structural parts and of the fabric means for tautly suspendingthe bed surface on the longitudinal and transverse frame members of saidframe part so that the entire weight of a human person directly restingon said fabric means is supported at said structural parts by way ofsaid spring means, the standard structural parts of the frame beingdetachably connected to each other by two-partite connecting means eachessentially consisting of a plug member with a head portion and anannular groove in its shank portion and a locking member having anapertured base body portion adapted to engage in said groove and abent-back part adapted to engage frictionally with the head portion. 18.A light-weight, portable foldable bed adapted to be assembled fromstandard structural parts, characterized by a substantially rectangulardetachable frame structure consisting of longitudinal and transversesectional frame members of substantially identical cross sectionalprofile interconnected at the four corners by identical plate structuresto form two frame sections, each including one transverse frame memberand two longitudinal frame members, and adapted to pivot relative toeach other, pivotal connecting means connecting the two frame sectionsof the frame structure at the free ends of the longitudinal members toenable pivotal movement about an axis parallel to a transverse framemember, the stanDard structural parts of the frame being provided withregularly spaced apertures along the longitudinal and transverse framemembers, unitary fabric means forming a bed surface which is providedwith spaced apertures along the edges thereof, and spring means engagingin mutually opposite apertures of the structural parts and of the fabricmeans for tautly suspending the bed surface on the longitudinal andtransverse frame members of said frame part so that the entire weight ofa human person directly resting on said fabric means is supported atsaid structural parts by way of said spring means, and a mattress coveradapted to cover the top of the bed when in the unfolded condition,which constitutes simultaneously a case enclosing the bed when in thefolded condition, with the two frame sections folded one over the other.